THE RAVEN | avengers

[58]

ACT 1
Chapter 58
Practically Royalty

After their run, Raven led him to the gym, where Erik, Ingrid, and Lena were already waiting. They stood at attention, anticipation clear on their faces. "Today's our last training session before Strucker expects you to perform for him," Raven announced, her tone casual but with an underlying seriousness.

Winter smirked, glancing around the room. "And you've brought witnesses to see how I kick your ass?" he said, half-smiling, clearly amused at the setup.

"Nice try," Raven shot back with a playful smirk of her own. "I wouldn't mind, of course." She winked at him, adding, "But I've got a sneaking suspicion that they're the ones who'll be kicking yours."

Erik, his eyes wide with surprise, blurted out, "Wait, what?"

Raven smirked as she caught Erik's nervous glance, his brows knitting together in confusion. "You heard me, Erik," she said, her tone playful but sharp. "Today, the three of you get to spar with the Winter Soldier here."

Ingrid crossed her arms, eyeing Winter with cautious curiosity. "Are we fighting him one-on-one, or...?"

Raven chuckled. "Oh, no. That wouldn't be fair. It's the three of you against him. All at once."

Winter glanced at Raven with a raised eyebrow. "Three against one, huh?"

"You'll manage," Raven replied with a grin. "And besides, they need to learn how to fight someone with your... advantages."

Erik, clearly still wrapping his head around the situation, took a deep breath. "I'm ready," he said, trying to sound confident.

Lena, always the most composed of the three, gave a small nod. "Let's do this."

Raven clapped her hands, stepping back to give them space. "Alright, then. Show me what you've learned."

Without missing a beat, Erik, Ingrid, and Lena charged forward, determined to take Winter down. Winter, to his credit, didn't flinch. He met Erik's advance head-on, easily dodging his punch and sending him stumbling backwards with a well-placed shove. Lena came at him next, aiming a quick kick to his midsection, but Winter blocked it with his metal arm, the sound of the impact echoing through the gym. He twisted his arm and caught her foot, but before he could throw her off balance, Ingrid landed a punch to his side.

Winter grunted, his lips curling into a half-smile as he adjusted to the chaotic fight. "Not bad," he muttered, his focus shifting between the three recruits.

Raven leaned against the wall, watching with amusement as the recruits tried to hold their ground against Winter's skill. "Come on!" she called out, taunting them. "Show him you're not just here to play!"

Erik lunged again, but this time, Winter was ready. He sidestepped and sent Erik tumbling to the mat with a sweep of his leg.

"Looks like I'm still on top," Winter said, glancing at Raven.

"Don't get cocky," Raven replied, arms crossed. "They're still warming up."

Ingrid and Lena exchanged a glance before launching a coordinated attack, one aiming high, the other low. Winter blocked Ingrid's punch, but Lena's kick landed square on his side, making him stumble back slightly.

Raven smirked, clearly enjoying the show. "Told you they'd give you a run for your money."

Winter barely had time to regain his balance before Erik jumped into the fray, charging at him with fists raised. Winter sidestepped Erik's punch, grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back, but Lena was quick, sweeping her leg beneath Winter, knocking him off his feet. He hit the ground with a grunt but rolled smoothly to avoid Ingrid's incoming kick. She was fast, and he was starting to see just how much these recruits had been trained by Raven.